Utility meter housing arrangement

ABSTRACT

An arrangement includes a liquid crystal display having a length, a width and a thickness. The arrangement further includes an integrally formed housing having a display receptacle, the display receptacle including retention members operable to retain the liquid crystal display in length, width and thickness dimensions. The arrangement also includes a flexible conductor device operably connected between the liquid crystal display and a circuit board.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/447,607 filed Feb. 3, 2003, which isincorporated herein by reference.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATE APPLICATIONS

Cross-reference is made to co-pending United States Patent ApplicationExpress Mail No. EV389958876US, filed Feb. 3, 2004, entitled “Method andArrangement for Securing Sensors in an Electricity Meter”, andco-pending United States Patent Application Express Mail No.EV389959001US, filed Feb. 3, 2004, entitled “Method and Arrangement forConnecting Electrical Components in an Electricity Meter”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to housings for utility meters,and particularly, utility meters having protective enclosures or covers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electricity meters, or simply meters, are devices, that among otherthings, measure electrical energy consumed by a residence, factory,commercial establishment or other such facility. Electrical utilitiesrely on meters for many purposes, including billing customers andtracking demand for electrical power. A common form of meter utilizescurrent transformers to sense the electrical current being supplied tothe facility being metered. The current sensed by the currenttransformers is transmitted to circuit boards included in the meter tofacilitate measurement of the amount of electrical energy being consumedby the facility.

A typical electricity meter includes several electrical components,ranging in size from relatively large power busses and transformers tomicroelectronic devices. Because of the variety of components withinmeters, labor and cost associated with assembling electricity meters canbe a limiting factor in cost of electricity meters.

Some of the costs relate to gasketing, which is required because metersare typically intended to be substantially sealed from the environment.Still other costs relate to mounting and/or connecting display elementsthat display energy usage information.

There is a need for utility meter features that address at least somethe costs associated with the meter assembly and implementation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above needs are met by one or more of the inventive aspectsdescribed herein.

A first embodiment of the invention comprises a liquid crystal displayand an integrally formed housing. The liquid crystal display has alength, a width and a thickness. The integrally formed housing includesa display receptacle, the display receptacle including retention membersoperable to retain the liquid crystal display in length, width andthickness dimensions. In addition, a flexible conductor device isoperably connected between the liquid crystal display and a circuitboard.

A second embodiment of the invention is a method that includes disposinga first edge of a liquid crystal display within a display receptacle andunder a rib extending at least a portion of a length of receptacle androtating a second edge of the liquid crystal display within the displayreceptacle while the first edge is disposed under the rib.

A third embodiment of the invention is a meter housing structure thatincludes a base plate, a cover, and a first housing. The base platesupports one or more meter blades. The cover has an open end and aclosed end, the open end including a periphery having a shoulder. Thefirst housing supports a display element, the first housing having aperiphery having an outward extending shoulder, the first housing alsoincluding at least one flexible extension extending at an angle from thefirst housing outward extending shoulder. The cover shoulder engages thefirst housing outward extending shoulder so as to urge the flexibleextension toward and against the base plate. This flexible extension mayreplace, or at least enhance, a gasket seal in a meter.

The above discussed features and advantages, as well as others, willbecome more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art byreference to the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings. One or more inventive aspects described herein will haveusefulness and provide advantages outside of the electricity meteringindustry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary electric utility meterwhich incorporates the features of the present invention therein;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the electrical utility meter of FIG. 1 takenalong line II-II;

FIG. 2 a is a schematic block diagram of the meter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a lower housing and sensorcircuit of the meter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side plan view of the lower housing and sensorcircuit of the meter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partially exploded view of the lower housing, acurrent coil and a measurement contact assembly of the meter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of two current coils of the meter of FIG.1 shown apart from the meter;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of an isolation member of the meter of FIG. 1shown apart from the meter;

FIG. 7 is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of acurrent transformer assembly in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded, cutaway view of the current transformer assemblyof FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of an upper housingand display assembly of the meter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of the upper housing, measurement and displaycircuit of the meter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 a is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the upperhousing, measurement and display circuit of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 shows top plan and side plan view of the liquid crystal displayof the display circuit of FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 shows an elevated perspective view of the upper housing of FIG.10;

FIG. 13 shows an enlarged, fragmented view of a portion of the cutawaysection of the meter of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an exemplary embodimentof an electric utility meter 10 which incorporates the features of thepresent invention therein. The electric utility meter 10 in theembodiment described herein is a residential meter having an electronicmeasurement circuit and an electronic display. However, it will beappreciated that many of the inventive aspects described herein mayreadily be adapted for use in polyphase meters used for non-residentialpurposes.

In general, the electric utility meter 10 has a housing that comprises alower housing 12, an upper housing 14 and a cover 16. The lower housing12 supports a sensor circuit 18 that attaches to a standard metersocket, not shown (see socket 19 of FIG. 2 a). The upper housing 14supports a circuit board 88 and a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) 74 (seeFIGS. 9 and 10). The circuit aspects of the meter 10 are shownschematically in FIG. 2 a.

The sensor circuit 18 is a circuit operable to generate signalsrepresentative of voltage and current on the electrical system beingmetered. To this end, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor circuit 18includes a current transformer assembly 20 and first and second currentcoils 22 and 24, respectively. The first and second current coils 22 and24 electrically connect to the electrical system being metered.

Referring again to FIG. 2 a, the sensor circuit 18 provides the voltageand current signals to a measurement circuit 21, which is disposed atleast in part on the circuit board 88. The measurement circuit 21generates energy consumption information, for example, kilowatt-hours,VAR-hours, VA-hours, RMS voltage and/or current, relating to theelectrical system to which the meter 10 is attached. The measurementcircuit 21 provides at least some of the energy consumption informationto the LCD 74. Any suitable measurement circuit may be used, includingthose generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,158; U.S. Pat. No.5,631,554 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,089, which are incorporated herein byreference. While the above-listed patents describe polyphase meters, themeasurement circuits described therein may readily be adapted for singlephase use by one of ordinary skill in the art. It is noted that in otherembodiments the display 74 need not be an LCD display, but may beanother suitable form of display. Some embodiments may includecommunication circuits within the meter 10 that communicate meteringinformation with local and/or remote devices, not shown. Such circuitsare varied and are well known in the art.

In general, the sensor circuit 18 operates in the following manner togenerate voltage and current measurement signals. As discussed above, ina typical meter installation, the current coils 22 and 24 areseries-connected within the power lines of the facility being metered,not shown. In other words, all of the current drawn by the facilitypasses through the current coils 22 and 24. The current transformerassembly 20 includes a current transformer 34 (see FIG. 8) which isdisposed in a current sensing relationship with respect to the currentcoils 22 and 24. The current transformer 34 (see FIG. 8) within thecurrent transformer assembly 20 generates a scaled down version of thecurrent passing through the current coils 22 and 24. The scaled downcurrent constitutes the current measurement signal, which is provided tothe measurement circuit 21 on the circuit board 88. (See FIG. 2 a).

In addition, each of the current coils 22 and 24 of the sensor circuit18 is connected to the circuit board 88 to provide a voltage measurementsignal to the measurement circuit 21. As discussed below in connectionwith FIG. 5, a measurement contact assembly according to one aspect ofthe present invention, such as the measurement contact assembly 64 ofFIG. 5, may be used to electrically connect the current coils 22 and 24to contacts of the measurement circuit 21 on the circuit board 88. Inthis example, the voltage measurement signal constitutes the actualvoltage on the power lines.

The measurement circuit 21 then performs energy related calculations togenerate metering information from the current measurement signal andthe voltage measurement signal. As discussed above, measurement circuitsoperable to perform such calculations are well known in the art.

In accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention, thecomponents of the sensor circuit 18 are secured to the lower housing 12in a manner that facilitates simplified manufacturing techniques, lowerpart counts, and ease of post-manufacturing servicing. To this end, asdescribed below, the exemplary meter 10 includes novel current coilarrangements and a novel current transformer assembly in accordance withvarious inventive aspects. It will be appreciated, however, that atleast some advantages may be achieved by incorporating individualaspects described herein apart from the others. For example, the novelcurrent transformer arrangement provides at least some advantages evenif other current coil arrangements are employed, and the novel currentcoil arrangements provided advantages regardless of whether the novelcurrent transformer arrangement is employed. Still other advantagesprovided by housing and display mounting features may be incorporatedalone or with other inventive features described herein.

Further detail regarding the lower housing 12 and the sensor circuit 18is provided in connection with FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6. The lower housing 12includes a bottom floor or bottom support 114 surrounded by a peripheralflange or shelf 116. As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the lower housing12 includes a number of integrally formed features, such as, forexample, a current transformer seating structure 118. The currenttransformer seating structure 118 in the embodiment described hereinincludes four elevated platforms arranged in the form of a cross. In thecenter of the current transformer seating structure 118 is an isolationmember 26 that is roughly in the shape of an upright tablet. (See FIGS.5 and 6).

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6, the isolation member 26 has a height hsufficient to extend through a void 40 defined in the center of thecurrent transformer assembly 20 when the assembly 20 is mounted in thecurrent transformer seating structure 118. The isolation member 26 alsohas a width w that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the void 40such that isolation member 26 fits within the void 40. The width w isalso as wide as or wider than the width of portions of the current coils22 and 24 that pass through the void 40. The isolation member 26 is madefrom an insulating material such as a plastic material. Indeed, theentire lower housing 12, including the integrally formed isolationmember 26, may be formed of a plastic material. To this end, it will beappreciated that the exemplary embodiment of the isolation member 26 inFIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 does not contain any overhang features thatcomplicate injection molding processes.

In other embodiments, the isolation member 26 may include layers orother portions that are made from different materials, or have overhangsor other features. However, such embodiments would include an insulatingmaterial portion having the height h and width w.

In particular, as discussed above, the current transformer 34 (see alsoFIG. 8) is in a current sensing relationship with coils 22 and 24. Tothis end, a portion of the current coils 22 and 24 also passes throughthe void 40 on opposite sides of the isolation member 26. (See FIGS. 3and 4). The width w of the isolation member 26 preferably exceeds thecorresponding width of the portions of the current coils 22 and 24 thatpass through the void 40 in order to inhibit electrical arcing betweenthose portions of the current coils 22 and 24.

The thickness of the isolation member 26 (as shown in FIG. 1) is chosensuch that when the isolation member 26 is disposed within the void,adequate space remains between each side of the isolation member 26 andthe current transformer assembly 20 to allow one of the current coils 22and 24 to pass therethrough.

It will be appreciated that one of the advantages of the use of theisolation member 26 is that the current coils 22 and 24 may both passthrough the void 40 of a single current transformer without undulyincreasing the possibility of arcing. To this end, the isolation member26 interferes with the arc path in substantial manner. The isolationmember 26 may take other forms and shapes, so long as it generally has awidth profile that is at least coextensive with at least one of thecurrent coils 22 and 24. It is also of significant cost advantage thatthe isolation member 26 is structurally independent from the currentcoils 22 and 24. In particular, attempting to form an isolation layerdirectly on one or both of the current coils adds to the complexity ofthe coil forming process. Moreover, if the isolation member 26 isintegrally molded with the base 12, then it may be added at minimalcost.

As discussed above, voltage measurement signals are provided directlyfrom the current coils 22 and 24 to the circuitry, not shown, on thecircuit board 88. To this end, the current coils 22 and 24 each includemeasurement contact assemblies or devices such as the assembly 64 shownin FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an exploded perspective view ofthe coil 24 and its corresponding measurement contact assembly 64. Thecurrent coil 24 is a high current carrying conductor having a middleportion 56 disposed between contact blades 58 and 60. The contact blades58 and 60 have a structure suitable for use in a standard meter socketconnection. Such devices are known in the art. Thus, the structure ofthe contact blades 58 and 60 have a thickness, length and widthsufficient to ensure connection to the meter socket connection and arobustness to withstand the significant force generally required toinsert the blades 58 and 60 into the socket.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 5 a, the middle portion 56 preferably is formedas a bent copper bar, and thus may be formed as a single integrallyformed structure that includes the blades 58 and 60. Referring to FIGS.3, 4, and 5, the blades 58 and 60 extend through openings in the bottomsupport 114 (not in view) so that the blades 58 and 60 stick out fromthe bottom support 114 at positions defined by normal meter sockets.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 5 a, the middle portion 56 of the current coil24 extends upward from the blade 58 in a direction perpendicular to theplane of the bottom support 114, and then bends to extend primarilyparallel to the plane of the bottom support 114 and generally toward thevoid 40. At the position of the void 40, the middle portion 56 againbends to extend perpendicular to the bottom support and specifically upthrough the void 40. After passing through the void 40, the middleportion 56 bends to extend substantially parallel to the bottom support114 towards the blade 60. At about the position of (but verticallydisplaced from) the blade 60, the middle portion 56 bends to extendperpendicular to the bottom support 114 towards and into the blade 60.The middle portion 56 thus includes multiple bends that allow it toextend to and through the void 40. As a consequence, the middle portion56 is non-symmetrical about its midpoint 62.

Also formed in the current coil 24 is a punch and pushback crimpingelement 120 at the top of the blades 58 and 60. The element 120 isconfigured to catch the bottom (or some other feature) of the bottomsupport 114 to inhibit axial (e.g. outward) dislodging of the currentcoil 24. The element 120 may suitably be crimped outward during finalassembly.

FIG. 5 a shows in further detail the design of the current coils 22 and24 apart from the other elements of the meter 10, but generally in therelative positions in which they would be disposed within the meter 10.Preferably, the current coil 22 preferably has an identical design tothat of the current coil 24, such that the current coils 22 and 24 areinterchangeable. However, the current coils 22 and 24 are mounted inopposing directions, as is shown in FIG. 3. Because the current coils 22and 24 are identical, like numbers will reference identical elements ofboth.

Each of the current coils 22 and 24 has a first axial section 132 thatincludes the current blade 60. The first axial section 132 has a lengthextending in the axial direction with respect to the meter 10. In otherwords, the first axial section 132 extends vertically when the meter 10is lying flat as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Each of the current coils 22 and 24 further includes an upper radialsection 134 having a length extending in a first radial direction fromthe first section 132. By radial, it is meant that the current coilsextend generally in a horizontal manner parallel to the bottom support114 and roughly toward the center of the bottom support 114 (see alsoFIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 5 a, the upper radial section 134 need notextend purely radially, although it may. Instead, as with the embodimentof FIG. 5 a, the upper radial section may include an axial incline.

Each of the current coils 22 and 24 also includes a center axial section136 having a length extending in the axial direction between the upperradial section 134 and a lower radial section 138, discussed furtherbelow. The center axial section 136 is the section that passes throughthe void 40 of the current transformer assembly 20, as shown in FIG. 3.

The lower radial section 138 has a length extending at least in a secondradial direction from the center axial section 136. By “second radialdirection”, it is meant that the lower radial section 138 extendsgenerally radially, similar to the upper radial section, but in adifferent angular direction from (or to) the center axial section 136.As with the upper radial section 134, the lower radial section 138 mayextend at least partially axially as well as primarily radially.

Each of the current coils 22 and 24 has a second axial section 140 thatincludes the current blade 58, and has a length that extends in theaxial direction from the lower radial section 138.

While the blades 22 and 24 need not have the exact layout as thatdescribed above, the above described layout is particularly well-suitedto combine the advantages of using a single reversible design for bothblades 22 and 24 with advantages related to the having flat horizontalor radial sections 134 and 138 which are particularly space efficient inmeters.

Another feature of the embodiment described herein is the simplifiedstructure that conveys voltage potential measurements from the currentcoils 22 and 24 to the circuit board 88 (and to the measurement circuit21 disposed thereon).

Referring again to FIG. 5, the measurement contact assembly 64 is anassembly that effectuates an electrical contact between the current coil24 and the circuit board 88 that is disposed within the upper housing 14in the final meter 10. In the exemplary embodiment described herein, theassembly 64 includes a blade contact portion 66 and a circuit boardcontact portion 68. In the embodiment described herein, the bladecontact portion 66 and the circuit board contact portion 68 are formedas separated structures, but need not be. In other words, the portions66 and 68 may be formed as a single structure.

In the embodiment describe herein, the blade contact portion 66 includesan anchor portion 122 having a fastener receiving structure 124 and anopening 126. The blade contact portion 66 further includes a flexiblemember 70 extending from the anchor portion into the opening 126. Theblade contact portion 66 preferably includes a further flexible member,not shown in FIG. 5, located opposite the flexible member 70 and alsoextending from the anchor portion 122 into the opening 126.

The circuit board contact portion 68 also includes an anchor portion 128and a fastener receiving structure 130. The portion 68 also includes avertical extension 132 which terminates in a spring terminal 72. Thespring terminal 72 is configured to make a contact against a circuitboard contact, not shown, but which may be any suitable contactterminal, on the circuit board 88 mounted in the upper housing 14.

The anchor portion 122 is disposed on the bottom support 114, or onfeatures located on the bottom support 114, such that the opening 126 isaligned to receive a portion of the current coil 24 (near the blade 58)therethrough. The flexible member 70 (and the opposing flexible member)engage and are biased towards the current coil 24.

The anchor portion 128 of the circuit board contact portion 68 islocated at least in part between the anchor portion 122 and the bottomsupport 114, such that the anchor portions 122 and 128 partiallycoextend and electrically contact each other. The anchor portions 122and 128 also include a number of flexible tabs 134 that engagecorresponding anchor posts 136 formed in the lower housing 12. Theanchor posts 136 extend upward from the bottom support 114. Theengagement of the tabs 134 in the posts 136 assist in securing theassembly 64 to the lower housing 12. Fasteners from underneath thebottom support 114 also secure the assembly 64 by engaging the fastenerreceiving structures 124 and 130.

The blade contact portion 66 and the circuit board contact portion 68are preferably formed from a flexible, conductive metal. The flexibilityallows the flexible member 70, the tabs 134 and the spring terminal 72to use spring bias to aid in securing the assembly 64 and in effectingelectrical contact between the current coil 24 and the circuit board 88.

The electrical contact path from the current coil 24 to the circuitboard 88 starts at the flexible member 70 (and the opposing flexiblemember) of the anchor portion 122 of the blade contact portion 66. Thepath continues through the anchor portion 122 and via pressure contactto the anchor portion 128 of the circuit board contact portion. The pathcontinues from the anchor portion 128 up through the vertical extension132 to the spring terminal 72.

A substantially similar (or at least mirror image) measurement contactassembly may be used to provide electrical contact between the currentcoil 22 and the circuit board 88.

Many advantages may be realized from the design of the current coilarrangement described above. The current coils 22 and 24, by employingidentical designs, are more economically stocked and distributed duringmanufacturing. Moreover, the use of an measurement contact assembly suchas the one described above provides a substantially solderlessconnection between the sensor elements, which cannot be mounted on thecircuit board 88, and elements that are mounted on the circuit board 88.The solderless connection reduces manufacturing expense. While bothadvantages reduce cost and increase convenience, either advantage may beobtained without the other.

FIGS. 7 and 8 provide further detail regarding an exemplary current coilassembly 20 that may be used in accordance with aspects of theinvention. The current transformer assembly 20 includes a currenttransformer 34 and an insulation cup 28. The current transformer 34 hasa core 36 and a first coil in the form of a winding 38. The winding 38is in a flux inducing relationship with the core 36. The core 36includes an opening 39 defining the void 40. As discussed above, thevoid 40 in the embodiment described herein is configured to receive aportion of the current coils 22 and 24, as well as the isolation member26.

In a typical embodiment, the current transformer 34 is in the form of asubstantially circular toroid. The number of turns in the winding 38correspond to the reduction ratio sought for current measurements. Inparticular, the current flowing through the current coils 22 and 24 isoften the actual line current. The current transformer 34 reduces thisrelatively high current to one that is used by the measurement circuit21 (see FIG. 2 a) on the circuit board 88 to perform the energy-relatedcalculations. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily choose asuitable number of turns for the winding 38 based on the particularmeasurement circuitry employed.

The insulation cup 28 includes a first part 30 and a second part 32. Thefirst part 30 is configured to mechanically couple to the second part 32such that the first part 30 and the second part 32 substantiallyencapsulate the current transformer 34. As such, the first part 30 andthe second part 32 define an interior portion 42 of the insulation cup28 that is disposed between the core 36 and the void 40. The interiorportion 42, among other things, interrupts the arc path between thewinding 38 and/or core 36 and the current coils 22 and 24 passingthrough the void 40 (See FIG. 3). Thus, the interior portion 42preferably defines a complete periphery around the void 40.

Moreover, because the parts 30 and 32 of the insulation cup 28 aremechanically coupled, there is a possibility of a seam between the partsfacilitating an arc path between the current transformer 34 and thecoils 22 and 24. To inhibit such an arc path, the first part 30 and thesecond part 32 are designed such that when mechanically coupled, asshown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, they form an overlapping area in the interiorportion 42 of the cup 28. In the exemplary embodiment described herein,both the first part 30 and the second part 32 include overlappingsections 44 and 46, respectively, that form the overlapping area.

It is noted that the insulation cup 28 need not have the circular shapeshown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8 so long as it defines a void for receivingcurrent coils. For example, the outer shape of the cup could be squareor other non-circular shape.

The mechanical connection between the first part 30 and the second part32 is accomplished via snap-together features on the parts 30 and 32.Thus, the first part 30 and/or the second part 32 includes a featurethat is received by a corresponding feature in the other part, withelastic deformation required to allow the feature to traverse into thecorresponding feature. Once the corresponding feature is reached, theelastic deformation at least partially recovers to “snap” the featurestogether. Such features may take many configurations and large numbersof variants would be known or readily devisable by those of ordinaryskill in the art.

In the exemplary embodiment described herein, such features are embodiedin a flexible tab 48 on the first part 30 and a detent 52 on the secondpart 32. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the flexible tab 48 extends downwardfrom an outer periphery of the first part and includes an aperture 50.The detent 52 is disposed on the outer periphery of the second part 32and is configured to be received by the aperture 50. To this end, as thefirst part 30 is assembled onto the second part 32, the flexible tab 48elastically deforms outward to allow the flexible tab 48 to traverse thedetent 52. When the flexible tab 48 has moved over the detent 52 to asufficient degree, the aperture 50 is aligned with the detent 52 and theflexible tab 48 snaps back such that the detent 52 extends into theaperture 50 to secure the first part 30 to the second part 32.

One or more other similar flexible tab, aperture and detent arrangementsare provided on the first part 30 and the second part 32.

FIGS. 9, 10, 10 a, 11 and 12 show the upper housing 14 of the meter 10,which incorporates other inventive aspects that may or may not becombined with one or more of the inventive aspects described above. Inthe embodiment described herein, the upper housing 14 includes a sidewall 92 and an end wall 94, preferably integrally formed with oneanother. The housing side wall 92 is curved to form a cylindrical sidewall, although multiple side walls may be joined to form a rectilinearvolume rather than a cylindrical one. The side wall 92 and the end wall94 define an interior volume of the upper housing 14.

One inventive aspect of the upper housing relates to an LCD mountingand/or connection arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, 10 a and 11.To this end, the meter 10 includes a display receptacle 76 isconstructed within the upper housing 14 of the meter 10 to retain theLCD 74. The display receptacle 76 is mounted on the end wall 94 theinterior of the upper housing 14. In a preferred embodiment, the displayreceptacle 76 is integrally molded with the end wall 94, side wall 92and other structures within the upper housing 14.

In the embodiment described herein, the receptacle 76 is comprised of afirst long side wall 80 and a second long side wall 82 that are joinedat their outboard ends by short side walls 78 so that a generallyrectangular display receptacle 76 is formed thereby. One of the sidewalls has a protrusion or detent 84 that engages LCD 74 to assist in theretention of LCD 74 within receptacle 76. It is noted that the detent 84may be of various lengths and profiles.

An L-shaped rib 90 extends between short side walls 78. One leg 90 a ofL-shaped rib 90 extends laterally into the volume between walls 82 and80 while the other leg 90 b extends vertically downward into thereceptacle 76. The rib 90 is offset from long side wall 82 so that aslot is defined between the downwardly extending leg 90 b and long sidewall 82. This slot receives and retains a flexible conducting strip 86,discussed further below. The rib 90 has a length that, preferably, issubstantially the same length as the long side walls 80, 82 of thereceptacle 76 and the cross-section of rib 90 is substantially identicalthroughout its length. While the rib 90 is shown as an L-shaped rib, itmay include other shapes that are capable of supporting and retainingthe flexible conducting strip 86 at an appropriate location withinreceptacle 76.

The LCD 74 has a generally rectangular shape, and includes a top surface74 a through which characters are visible, a first longitudinal edge 98and second longitudinal edge 100. The first longitudinal edge 98 isbeveled to produce a lengthwise cutout of the top surface 74, therebycreating an elongated contact surface 98 a. The elongated contactsurface 98 a is below the level of the top surface 74 a, and includes aplurality of electrical contacts, not shown. The LCD 74 is operable toprovide display of characters in response to signals received at thecontact on the top surface 74 a. The length and width of the LCD 74generally corresponds to the length and width of the receptacle 76.

The design of the receptacle 76 as described above facilitates assemblyof the LCD 74 onto the upper housing 14. To assemble the LCD 74 onto theupper housing 14, the LCD 74 is placed at an angle within the receptacle76 so that the beveled long edge 98 engages the side wall 82 beneath thedownwardly extending leg 90 b of the rib 90. It is noted that the leg 90b preferably terminates in a chamfered edge 90 c to facilitate placementof the first long edge 98 under the leg 90 b at an angle as describedabove.

Once the first long edge 98 is under the leg 90 b and substantiallyagainst the side wall 82, the opposed edge 100 of the LCD 74 may then berotated downwardly against the protrusion 84 so that the protrusion 84snaps into place against the LCD 74. To this end, the protrusion 84 andor the wall 80 to which it is attached should have some amount ofresilient flexibility. Likewise, the downwardly extending leg of rib 90retains the first long edge 98 of the LCD 74 within the receptacle 76.

The flexible conducting strip 86, mentioned above, is a device known inthe art that contains multiple electrical conductors disposed in anrubber-like polymer. Terminations of the conductors are disposed atedges 86 a and 86 b of the strip 86. The flexible conducting strip 86 inthe embodiment described herein is employed to provide an electricalconnection between the measurement circuit 21 on the circuit board 88and the LCD 74.

As shown in the cross-section view of FIGS. 10 and 10 a, the flexibleconducting strip 86 may be placed within the receptacle 76 so that theconducting strip 86 couples LCD 74 to a conductor on printed circuitboard 88. The conducting strip 86 is placed within the slot that isformed between the downwardly extending leg 90 b of the rib 90 and longside wall 82. The elongated contact surface 98 a of the LCD 74 receivesthe edge 86 b of the conducting strip 86 so an electrical coupling isestablished between the conductors within the strip 86 and the contactsof the LCD 74. Thereafter, printer circuit board 88 may be mounted so itis electrically coupled to the edge 86 a of the conducting strip 86 andan electrical conducting path is thereby established between the LCD 74and the printed circuit board 88.

In summary, the method for installing the LCD 74 within the receptacle76 so it may be electrically coupled to the measurement circuit 21 (seeFIG. 2 a) on the printed circuit board 88 includes disposing a firstedge 98 of the LCD 74 within display receptacle and under the rib 90 androtating the second edge 100 of LCD 74 within display receptacle 76while edge 98 remains disposed under the rib 90. Rotation of the longedge 100 temporarily moves the protrusion 84 until the edge 100 advancespast the protrusion 84 and the protrusion 84 snaps back into a positionthat retains the LCD 74 within the receptacle 76. The flexibleconducting strip 86 is disposed in the slot between rib 90 and long wall82 so an edge of the flexible conducting strip 86 electrically contactsthe contact surface 98 a of the LCD 74.

FIGS. 2 and 13 show in further detail another inventive aspect of themeter 10 that incorporates features of the upper housing 14. FIG. 13 isan enlarged detail drawing of a portion of FIG. 2. The inventive aspectincludes an arrangement for sealing the meter 10. The arrangementincludes the lower housing 12, which may suitably be replaced by anyother type of meter base plate. The arrangement also involves the cover16 and the upper housing 14. In general, there is a need to provide aweather proof seal to between the cover 16 and the electrical elementswithin the meter 10.

To this end, the cover 16 is preferably in the shape of an opencylindrical container, however, the principles described herein may bemodified for use in rectangular or other shaped meters. In any event,the cover 16 includes an open end 102 and a closed end 104. At least theclosed end 104 is sufficiently transparent to allow viewing of the LCD74. Disposed at the periphery of the open end 102 is a shoulder 112.

The upper housing 14 also includes an outward extending shoulder 106extending throughout its periphery. The upper housing 14 also includesat least one flexible extension, shown in FIG. 13 as flexible extensions108 and 110, extending at an angle from the outward extending shoulder106. In the exemplary embodiment described herein, the first flexibleextension 108 extends at a non-perpendicular angle from the shoulder106, while the second flexible extension 110 extends at a perpendicularangle from the shoulder 106.

To assemble the housing of the meter 10, the upper housing 14 isdisposed on the lower housing 12 such that the flexible extensions 108and 110 generally rest on the shelf 116 of the lower housing 12. Theflexible extensions 108 and 110 coextend with the shelf 116 to entirelysurround the electrical components of the meter in the plane defined bythe shelf 116. The cover 16 is then placed over the upper housing 14until its shoulder 112 engages the shoulder 106 of the upper housing 14.The cover 16 includes features that interlock with and secure tofeatures on the lower housing 12. These features are shown in thedrawings and are known in the art. However, when secured to the lowerhousing, the shoulder 112 applies downward force on the shoulder 106 ofthe upper housing 14. The downward force causes the flexible extensions108 and 110 to press against the shelf 116, flexing somewhat. The springaction of the flexible extensions 108 and/or 110 form a weather seal inthe meter 10.

With such a design, the need for a separate gasket, as is typically usedin meters, is avoided.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description isto be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

1. An arrangement comprising: a liquid crystal display having a length,a width and a thickness; an integrally formed housing comprising adisplay receptacle, the display receptacle including retention membersoperable to retain the liquid crystal display in length, width andthickness dimensions, the retention members including at least twoopposing sidewalls in contact with the liquid crystal display; and aflexible conductor device operably connected between the liquid crystaldisplay and a circuit board; wherein the integrally formed housingincludes a rib extending across at least a portion the displayreceptacle, the rib configured to define a first slot between the riband a first of the two opposing sidewalls and a second slot between therib and a second of the two opposing sidewalls, the first slot designedand dimensioned to pass the liquid crystal display through the firstslot and the second slot configured to retain the flexible conductordevice in a predetermined position within the receptacle.
 2. Thearrangement of claim 1 wherein the integrally formed housing includesone or more side walls and an end wall forming a meter circuit housing,the display receptacle disposed within the meter circuit housing.
 3. Thearrangement of claim 1 wherein the integrally formed housing includesone or more side walls and an end wall forming a meter circuit housing,the display receptacle disposed within the meter circuit housing.
 4. Thearrangement of claim 1 wherein the display receptacle includes four sidewalls and end retaining flanges extending perpendicularly from the fourside walls, at least one of the four side walls including at least onedetent for retaining the liquid crystal display in the thicknessdimension.
 5. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the rib extendssubstantially through a length of the display receptacle.
 6. Thearrangement of claim 1 wherein the rib has a length and a substantiallyidentical cross section throughout its length.
 7. The arrangement ofclaim 1 wherein the rib includes a portion having an L-shaped crosssection.
 8. The arrangement of claim 3 wherein the one or more sidewalls comprises a cylindrical side wall.
 9. The arrangement of claim 3wherein the meter circuit housing further comprises snap features forreceiving corresponding snap features secured to the circuit board. 10.A meter housing structure comprising: a base plate supporting one ormore meter blades; a cover having an open end and a closed end, the openend including a periphery having a shoulder; a first housing supportinga display element, the first housing having a periphery having anoutward extending shoulder, the first housing also including at leastone flexible extension extending at an angle from the first housingoutward extending shoulder; and wherein the cover shoulder engages thefirst housing outward extending shoulder so as to urge the flexibleextension toward and against the base plate.
 11. The meter housingstructure of claim 10 wherein the flexible extension extends at anon-perpendicular angle from the first housing outward extendingshoulder.
 12. The meter housing structure of claim 10 wherein theflexible extension is coextensive with the first housing periphery. 13.The meter housing structure of claim 10 wherein the cover periphery issubstantially circular and the first housing periphery is substantiallycircular.
 14. The meter housing structure of claim 10 wherein theflexible extension forms a gasketless seal.